Best of Metal 2018: Top ten countdown…

By Sarah Kitteringham

CALGARY – Anyone who is heavily invested in heavy metal knows that every year is a good year for releases. 2018 has been no different: as per usual, the amount of intriguing, strong releases unveiled by newcomers in 2018 has been staggering.

Instead of focusing on the obvious bands this year I’m going to focus on the best releases by the unknown and the (mostly) unsigned. Without further ado…

Do you dig reallllllllly obscure metal like Lordian Guard, with a dash of Lord Weird Slough Feg and Wytch Hazel? Reiterating ancient myths, this bizarre and intriguing blend of German and English sung metal incorporates folk and freakery to infinitely listenable affect.

9. Temple of Abandonment -Chasm of the Horned Pantheon: Through Your Death, They Live

Vancouver death doom that evokes diSEMBOWELMENT in its own gut churning, glacial, monstrous way.

8. Hitter – 2018 Demo

If your #bestlife Friday night is slamming cheap beer in a basement yell talking over your friends, then Hitter will feed right into your primal urges. Think the Plasmatics or Bitch – party metal supreme.